After an early breakfast, your driver picks you up and drops you at the airport for your flight to Arusha. On arrival, your safari guide meets you. Then you begin your journey southwest toward Tarangire National Park. The scenic drive takes approximately 1 to 2 hours through the rolling hills and rural landscapes of northern Tanzania.

Once you reach the park gate, you begin your first full-day game drive in one of Tanzania’s most underrated gems. Tarangire National Park is famous for its towering baobab trees and sweeping savannahs. It also has the largest concentration of elephants in northern Tanzania.

During the dry season, the Tarangire River becomes a magnet for wildlife. It attracts vast herds of zebras, wildebeests, buffalo and giraffes, as well as predators such as lions and leopards.

At midday, you stop at a designated picnic site for a scenic lunch in the bush. In the afternoon, continue your game drive through the park’s diverse habitats. Keep an eye out for elusive species like cheetahs and even tree-climbing pythons. Later, as the sun sinks over the baobabs, you exit the park and head to your charming lodge nearby.

Overnight at Suricata Boma Lodge

Meals: Picnic Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, head to Lake Manyara National Park, a picturesque gem below the dramatic cliffs of the Great Rift Valley. Despite its small size, the park has incredible biodiversity. It is famous for its tree-climbing lions, pink flamingos and over 400 species of birds.

First, enjoy a morning game drive through groundwater forests, acacia woodlands and open plains. Along the lakeshore, look for elephants, hippos, baboons and a dazzling array of birdlife.

Then pause for a picnic lunch in the park. Afterwards, continue your afternoon safari, soaking in the scenery and wildlife until early evening.

Later, return to Suricata Boma Lodge to relax. Alternatively, you can choose a guided nature walk or a cultural visit to a local Maasai village for an immersive experience.

Accommodation: Suricata Boma Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast, leave the lodge in Mto wa Mbu. Then begin your scenic journey toward the world-renowned Serengeti National Park. Along the way, you pass through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here the road winds along the rim of the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, with breathtaking panoramic views of this ancient volcanic caldera.

Next, you descend onto the vast open plains of the Serengeti, a name that means “endless plains” in the Maasai language. This iconic park is one of the most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries on Earth. It is famous for the Great Migration. It is also home to the Big Five – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

When you reach the Serengeti gate, enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush. Then begin your first thrilling game drive inside the park. Keep your camera ready as you cross golden grasslands teeming with wildlife. Look for herds of wildebeest and zebras, graceful giraffes, basking hippos and predators on the prowl.

By late afternoon, you make your way to your safari-style accommodation in the heart of the Serengeti. You arrive just in time to freshen up and enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars.

Overnight at Moyo Tented Camp, Serengeti

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast at Moyo Tented Camp, set off for a full morning game drive through the Serengeti. These vast, open plains stretch as far as the eye can see. They are home to an extraordinary concentration of wildlife and also the stage for the legendary Great Migration.

Spend the morning tracking herds of wildebeest and zebras and spotting predators such as lions and cheetahs. In addition, admire elephants, giraffes and an abundance of birdlife in their natural habitat.

At midday, enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wilderness. In the afternoon, continue your game drive on the way back to Moyo Tented Camp. Finally, arrive at camp with time to relax and refresh before a delicious dinner under the stars.

Overnight: Moyo Tented Camp, Serengeti

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Wake to the soft light of dawn. For an extraordinary adventure, set off on an optional hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti. This requires advance booking and costs extra. Soar above the golden plains as the sun rises and casts long shadows over herds of wildebeest and antelope. You may even see a pride of lions beginning their day.

After the balloon flight, or after a more leisurely morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast at camp. Then head out for a final morning game drive through the Serengeti. This is another chance to spot wildlife you may have missed, as the ever-changing landscape reveals new surprises at every turn.

In the afternoon, begin your drive southeast toward the Ngorongoro Highlands, through the rich and fertile lands of the conservation area. Meanwhile, the scenery changes from dry grasslands to lush green hills, Maasai villages and terraced farmland.

You arrive in the charming town of Karatu by early evening. Here the cool highland air and serene surroundings offer a perfect contrast to the wild Serengeti. Finally, settle into your lodge, enjoy a freshly prepared dinner and relax after an exciting day on the road.

Overnight at Karatu Simba Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner

Rise early and set out for an unforgettable journey into the Ngorongoro Crater, often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World". This vast, unbroken caldera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also has a remarkable concentration of wildlife, such as lions, elephants, hyenas, hippos, flamingos and even the rare black rhino.

As you descend 600 meters into the crater, you enter a wildlife sanctuary like no other. This natural amphitheater lets the drama of the African savannah unfold before your eyes. Enjoy a picnic lunch at a scenic spot near a hippo pool. Then continue your game drive, taking in the breathtaking scenery and wildlife until mid-afternoon.

After your crater adventure, transfer back to Arusha, with time to freshen up if needed. Next, head to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your scheduled flight to Zanzibar. Finally, on arrival on the island, our team welcomes you and transfers you directly to your accommodation.